The Thursday Murder Club Review: Spectacular Cast, Subpar Mystery

A talented group of older actors comes together to solve crimes. The actors are the major appeal of The Thursday Murder Club. Based on the popular novels by comedian/television presenter Richard Osman, this adaptation introduces viewers to this club of elderly crime solvers.

We have seen many mystery movies, but it’s rare to find ones with actors over 70. Immediately, you notice this unusual characteristic of the film. It’s almost an instantaneous observation because it feels, unfortunately, so out of the norm.

Hollywood glamorizes youth. It’s always about the next hot, young things.

Older actors are often supporting characters or given throwaway parent or mentor roles. The younger actors get to be the stars. It’s so common that it’s not often you wonder why there aren’t more older actors in this film.

The Thursday Murder Club feels like a rectification of so many missed opportunities for age variation in the film industry.

The wisdom, talent, and charisma that come with age are on full display in this film. You’re never missing that fresh-faced 20-somethings are not occupying the screen time. Of course, not everyone in the movie is over 70, but the main cast stands out above all. 

The story resides with them. Helen Mirren’s Elizabeth is just as intriguing and domineering as some of the lead male, younger counterparts. You trust Elizabeth as a source of authority. She’s also a bit more fun as a somewhat agent of chaos.

Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, and Joyce are also a bit more reckless and chaotic than some of the other crime fighters. Their playfulness with all of this probably comes from their advanced age. This makes them so fun to watch.

It’s like watching the carefree joy of children, but with all the knowledge of adults. The Thursday Murder Club also does a good job of showing why these four find such comfort in this club. It’s an escape from some of the less joyous parts of old age.

The parts that include losing someone you love, declining health, the declining health of your loved ones, and fractured familial bonds. Also, the way some treat the elderly and almost dismissive of them as unimportant topics discussed in this movie.

Some films or stories can work with any actors or a cast because it’s not age, sexuality, race, or gender specific. However, The Thursday Murder Club works because it’s a story so dependent on the concept of elderly mystery solvers. It’s their story and how their age factors into and shapes their approach to these cases.

The film is an interesting one overall, but the biggest letdown is the main mystery. It’s just not as interesting an exciting as it could be. Also, by the time the killer is revealed, you don’t really care.”

All the twists and turns don’t add much either.

It’s the mystery that’s the biggest detriment to this fascinating story about age and how it’s treated by society. The Thursday Murder Club could have been a lot better if the opening mystery of the murder in the 70s was the actual main focus.

That’s where the heart and story really drew us in.

To conclude, The Thursday Murder Club has a very strong cast, with a not-so-strong overall mystery. Hopefully, this film does well for Netflix, so more of the book series can be adapted. It would be nice to see more films that give elderly, talented actors their much-deserved spotlight.

Stray Thoughts

• Joyce and Ibrahim’s moment at the end was very heartwarming. I wanted more scenes like that, showing the relationship of these characters and their development.
• I thought Pierce Bronson was younger than most of the cast until I looked up his age. He’s just a youthful-looking 72.
• David Tennant is especially slimy in this movie, love it.
• The Thursday Murder Club makes you reflect on age, life in a way that’s not overly heavy-handed, but subtle in a beautiful way. 
• The film has inspired me to read the books just to see if the other mysteries are more appealing.

What did you think of The Thursday Murder Club? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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Stream The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix.

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